JAKARTA, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Muslims in Indonesia will begin fasting on Saturday (March 1), while Singapore, Thailand, and Cambodia will commence fasting on Sunday (March 2).

At a press conference, Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Nasaruddin Umar, announced that 1 Ramadan 1446 Hijrah falls on Saturday, March 1, 2025.

The announcement was made following the conclusion of the Isbat conference (the conference for determining the start of Ramadan) on Friday evening. The session involved ministry officials, the Indonesian Ulema Council, members of the Indonesian House of Representatives, as well as representatives from embassies in Indonesia. Also present was the Religious Attaché at the Malaysian Embassy, Mohd Shamsuri Ghazali.

Indonesia is home to the world's largest Muslim population, with 87 per cent of its 282 million citizens identifying as Muslim.

In Singapore, Mufti Dr Nazirudin Mohd Nasir stated: "According to astronomical calculations, at sunset this evening on February 28, 2025, the moon was positioned at an angular distance of 5.1 degrees with an altitude of 4.3 degrees. These calculations do not meet the criteria of ‘imkanur rukyah’ as agreed upon by the member countries of MABIMS (Ministers of Religion in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore)

"Therefore, the Ramadan crescent was not visible above Singapore's horizon at sunset this evening, and tomorrow will complete 30 days of the month of Syaaban.

"I am pleased to declare that the start of Ramadan this year falls on the day after tomorrow, Sunday, March 2, 2025," he said in a video clip uploaded on the social media page of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) on Friday.

In conjunction with Ramadan, he urged all Muslims to increase their acts of charity during the holy month.

Thailand’s Chief Sheikhul Islam, Arun Boonchom, announced that Muslims in the country will begin fasting on Sunday (March 2) as the Ramadan crescent was not sighted during observations at multiple locations in the southern provinces after sunset on Friday.

Arun made the announcement at the Chalermprakiart National Islamic Affairs Administration Centre in Samut Prakan province, which was broadcast live on television and radio.

The Highest Council For Islamic Religious Affairs Cambodia announced on Friday evening that Muslims in the Kingdom will begin fasting on Sunday.

Some 300,000 Muslims will welcome the Holy Month of Ramadan in the predominantly Buddhist nation. 

-- BERNAMA